EU forges with USA: Von der Leyen postpones counter-tariffs until August!

EU forges with USA: Von der Leyen postpones counter-tariffs until August!

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has decided to postpone the introduction of countermeasures against the USA until the beginning of August. This decision comes as part of efforts to reach a possible agreement with the US after EU import tariffs were originally due to come into force on Monday. The delay was mainly caused by the requests of several governments and the European Union's desire not to unnecessarily complicate negotiations with Washington. oe24 reports that a package of counter-tariffs worth a total of 21 billion euros was planned after the USA increased tariff rates on EU products.

The situation escalated when US President Donald Trump announced tariff increases of up to 30 percent on EU imports from August 1st at the weekend. This threat caused concern in Europe, and von der Leyen expressed hope for an agreement in this context. However, the chairman of the European Parliament's trade committee, Bernd Lange, is pushing for the countermeasures to come into force on Monday to send a clear signal.

Reactions from Europe

There are a variety of reactions to the threatened US tariffs in the European political landscape. Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche expressed hope for a pragmatic negotiation result and emphasized the potential negative effects of the tariffs on both sides of the Atlantic. EU Council President António Costa reaffirmed the unity of the EU and its willingness to protect its own interests.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for accelerated preparation of European countermeasures. Similar calls are coming from other European leaders, including Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who is calling for EU unity. The Italian government is optimistic and hopes for a fair result in the customs dispute.

Economic concerns

Business representatives in Germany also express considerable concerns. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) describes the tariffs as an alarm signal and calls for negotiations on an equal footing. The German foreign trade association BGA warned against excessive dependence on the US market and called for tough negotiations.

The automotive industry is particularly affected. The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) warned of the costs for companies and the urgency of a quick solution. At the same time, the mechanical engineering association VDMA warns that 30 percent tariffs could endanger the existence of many companies.

Economists like Jens Südekum and Moritz Schularick expect that Trump could potentially back down from his tariff threat. Schularick predicts that if tariffs continue, the German economy would grow 0.5 to 0.6 percentage points less, although no immediate recession is expected. daily news highlights that the coming weeks could be crucial to stabilize strained trade relations between the EU and the US.